Union minister Sriprakash Jaiswal on Thursday kicked up a major controversy when he said in Kanpur that if the Congress failed to get a majority in the UP elections, the state would head for President’s Rule.
“If Congress gets majority then it will form the government... In case we don’t get clear majority we sit in the Opposition and I see no alternative but governor’s rule,” the Union minister told reporters after casting his vote. He further said, “Those who lack confidence are looking for alliances... Congress will not forge any alliance.”
The minister’s statement has drawn a strong reaction from all major political parties though Mr Jaiswal later said that his words were twisted out of context. Clarifying his statement, he said that if no party got a majority and no party supported each other, President’s Rule would be inevitable.
However, Congress appeared to disapprove of Mr Jaiswal’s remarks, as AICC spokesperson Manish Tewari in New Delhi said, “We are in the running to form the government. All Congressmen should desist from speculation.”